DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS
12-16 April 1999
WEEK 33
I. COMPANIONSHIP: Encouragement
And he[Elijah] said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts, because
the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and
killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my
life.” 1 Kings 19:14
Kingdom work can be challenging! You can give everything you have to
God’s service and come away exhausted. This is what happened to Elijah. God
had just used Elijah to call down fire from heaven in a spectacular display of
divine power. But Elijah’s exhilaration was soon replaced by strenuous work
followed by death threats, causing him to flee for his life. Now he was alone,
exhausted and discouraged.
Again, God came to Elijah. This time, He came not in the fire or in a
loud, spectacular way, but in a still, small voice. God’s servant was tired, and
God brought him comfort. Elijah’s focus had shifted from God to God’s
enemies. He had allowed his circumstances to overwhelm him, leaving him
disoriented to God and feeling alone. So God encouraged him. God provided
Elisha for him as a helper, friend and companion.
God removed Elijah from activity for a time, so that he could rest and
spend time with God. When the nation next saw Elijah, he was rejuvenated and
refocused on God and His assignment.
If you are overwhelmed by kingdom work so that your focus is no longer
on God but on all that there is to do, let Him comfort you. Listen to His gentle
voice. He will encourage you and provide exactly what you need to prepare for
what comes next. If He needs to remove you from the work for a time, He will.
He may place a friend or colaborer beside you to help carry the load. God knows
exactly how to encourage you. Let Him do so.
Experiencing God Day by Day, Henry Blackaby, p. 289.
OUR VISION: TO REPRODUCE SERVANT LEADERS
II. COACHING: HALF TIME
The First Half – Listening to God
A. Introduction
Why might a half-time evaluation be necessary or exciting to you at this point in your life?
To what extent do you agree with Peter Drucker’s statement (p. 14) that a second half
evaluation is more plausible today than in years past?
How would you describe a successful second half transition?
B. Exploration
Read 1 Kings 19:1-18
Who was Jezebel? Why wasn’t she scared of Elijah and his powerful God?
Why is Elijah suddenly afraid?
Why didn’t God take Elijah’s life?
What is significant about Mt. Horeb (see Ex 3:1-2, Dt. 4:10-14).
Describe Elijah’s tone in verse 10. Who does he blame?
What’s the point of God’s three “false starts”? (verses 11-12)
Why does God ask, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Read the Introduction, Forward and Chapter 1 of Half Time (pp. 11-33)
What does “having it all” mean to you?
Considering the diagram on p. 27, where are you in your journey?
To what extent do you agree that, “faith without works is dead.” (p. 28)
If your life were absolutely perfect, what would it look like (p.32)?
C. Application



How would you answer God if he asks you, “Why are you here?”
How might God be trying to communicate with you right now? Could you hear the still
small voice? What do you need to do to hear him?
How can faith become a more important part in your second half?
FOR NEXT WEEK: Read the chapters 2-4 of Half-Time.